On October 20, the third year of Jian'an, Kuaiji was occupied by Gao Chong's army.

Zhou Yu's surrender completely lost the hope of turning the tables. After Lu Xun, Gan Ning, Zhu Huan, Li Tong's all-out lineages, Qian Tang, Wu Cheng and other places were successively captured. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Sun Quan led Sun Jing, Sun He and others to float on the sea in person. After more than a month of wandering, no one knew where he ended.

There was a fisherman saying that he had seen several large ships sailing across the sea outside the East China Sea. The direction of his journey was to the northeast. If it was Sun Quan, he would have to return to the Central Plains from the sea north to the Central Plains, and now he is heading to the northeast. If he continues all the way, he will only be further and further away from the Central Plains.

The northeast is the area of ​​the Fusang Islands. Could it be that Sun Quan wanted to follow Xu Fu to travel overseas and create another foundation?

Zhang Zhao, Cheng Bing and others who were left behind Kuaiji were helpless and finally chose to surrender. At this point, except for the remnants of Huanggai who retreated to the Dongyang area, who were especially resisting, the foundations that Sun Ce set in just three years had been replaced by Gao Chong.

Moling, the atmosphere is renewed.

The street market is busy. In today's turbulent Central Plains, Gao Chong brought Jiangdong into a new era with his unparalleled mind and courage.

From October of the second year of Xingping to October of the third year of Jian'an, there have been nearly four years of glorious years of blood and fire. Although people have not grown old, their hearts have grown old.

Gao Chong walked out of the mansion with a happy look on his face. He had just come out of Da Qiao and felt really good about being a father. Gao Chong suddenly had another kind of concern, and this concern was all because of the little life that had not been born yet.

"I want to give peace as the best gift to my children!" Looking at the prosperity of people coming and going in the street market, Gao Chong sighed sincerely.

War can destroy all this and recreate all this.

The only difference is people.

Gao Chong did not ride a horse, and the governor's mansion was just a little further away from the second street. He just needed to turn a corner and there was no need to mobilize troops to show off in the street market. So except for a few close guards, there was no one around him, because this was in Moling City, Gao Chong had nothing to worry about.

The people of Moling have regarded them as gods as gods for their high favors who gave them a peaceful life.

In the street market, if someone dares to say that Gao Chong is not good, he will be attacked by people around him. In this regard, Gao Chong is both proud and disturbed.

What is proud of is the support of the people is the best proof for testing one's own ability. What is troublesome is that even if someone has different opinions, he will not dare to speak out because of this kind of blind worship atmosphere. This is one of the purposes of Gao Chong's urgent call for officials from various counties to come to Moling to discuss matters. Only by opening up the road to speech and attracting the wise and the audio-visual can he maintain long-term prosperity.

In the conference hall, it was almost as noisy as the street market.

"Brother Zi, are you safe?"

"Ha, TOEFL——I was so worried about the matter of proposing the virtuous a few days ago. Fortunately, I finally got through it!" Xu Shao smiled at the caller with a spring breeze on his face.

In troubled times, it is a stage for military generals to roam, and in prosperous times, it is a place where civil officials are good at dancing.

Xu Shao and the others were all summoned by Gao Chong to discuss the plan of building Jiangdong. At this time, a large number of county officials and officials, led by Gu Yong, Xu Shao, Xu Jing, Liu Ji, Cang Ci, Zheng Hun, Zhang Wen, etc., were crowded together and talking about the great period of peaceful construction that they were looking forward to.

Lu Xun, Gan Ning and other military generals who were in charge of fighting were unable to leave because they had the important task of guarding one side. Therefore, among the people present, except for Lu Su, Xu Shu, Liu Ye, and several important counselors, they were almost all civil servants.

After Gao Chong sat down, Xu Shao took the lead and advised: "People's commander, the first lord Yao appointed the emperor as the governor of Yangzhou and General Zhenwu. Now our army has occupied Jiangdong. Why not justify the court to grant the title of Yangzhou as the governor of Yangzhou!"

Although Xu Shao is a good minister, he has little talent and no courage in addition to this skill. When Sun Ce launched an army to attack Shang Liao, he and Xu Jing encouraged to give up Yu Zhang. Fortunately, Musha and Gu Yong's persistence, and Xu Sheng's full efforts to return to help, Shang Liao was finally saved.

Although this matter has passed, Gao Chong did not pursue Xu Shao and Xu Jing, but this is not a glorious thing for the uncle and nephew of Xu, who has always claimed to be aloof, and sometimes the two even feel that they are more than Zhang Wen, Cheng Bing and others who have been surrendering.

Only by looking for opportunities to prove his ability can he raise his head again. As the person who has been following Gao Chong for the longest time, Xu Shao has been scattered in the outer county of Yuzhang for a long time. After finally waiting for Gao Chong to recall this time, how can he miss this opportunity to become famous?

"What do you guys think?" Gao Chong smiled faintly. Xu Shao's words made some sense. If he could have the title of Yangzhou Governor, he could have legitimately governed the six counties of Kuaiji, Wu, Danyang, Yuzhang, Luling and Lujiang under the rule of Jiangdong.

Zhang Wen hesitated for a moment and went out and said, "Last year, Yuan Shao, Jizhou, was furious after hearing that Cao Cao was appointed as the general, threatened to raise troops to attack Xudu. Under the urgency, Cao Cao had to change his position as Sikong and give up the position of General to Yuan Shao. With the lessons of the previous car, he can also favor the general - he can also do it!"

As soon as Zhang Wen said this, most officials nodded in agreement. In the hearts of many of them, the Han Dynasty had declined, and the imperial court's majesty was no longer there. As long as he had the strength, it was not easy to get the imperial court to grant him a title.

Gao Chong's eyes swept across everyone and saw that most of them were passionate. However, Zhang Zhao still looked calm and his voice remained motionless.

"Zibu, what do you think?" Gao Chong was also moved by everyone's words. He knew Zhang Zhao's great talent, so he wanted to hear his opinions at this time.

Zhang Zhao pondered for a moment and gave a comment: "People in charge, Zhao thought he would not agree to ask the Yangzhou governor." Zhang Zhao was very famous in Jiangdong. Although he had to surrender Gao Chong, he could not reduce the influence of Zhang Zhao in the minds of the gentry officials. His words were like throwing a stone on the calm lake, which immediately stirred up ripples.

"I wish to hear that I have made a great statement!" Xu Shao's face turned red and he said loudly. He thought that the strategy he had offered was almost certain, but he did not want Zhang Zhaoheng to get into a strife.

Zhang Zhao ignored Xu Shao's provocation and said to Gao Chong: "The Prayer is Mingjian. The current government is controlled by the Sikong Cao Cao. Any edicts and documents cannot be circulated unless reviewed by the Sikong Mansion. In the past, there was a Marquis of Wu in Jiangdong. Sun Ce and Prayer were fighting. You Dao that two tigers would have to be injured. This is what Cao Cao is most happy to see. Now that the Prayer family is the dominant family and leads Jiangdong, how can Cao Cao not be afraid? Therefore, Zhao believes that the matter of asking for the governor of Yangzhou will not be completed!"

After hearing Zhang Zhao's words, Gao Chong, Lu Su, Xu Shu and others all showed praise on their faces. In addition to fame, Zhang Zhao did have real talents and knowledge. No wonder Sun Ce would rely on it as his right hand.

At this time, Xu Shu stepped forward and said, "Pampered by the general, Zibu said that the last time Cao Cao sent Kong Rong to Moling, it was clearly a test of the reality of our army. If we force the title to be granted this time, it will inevitably further deepen Cao Cao's suspicion. In fact, the governor of Yangzhou is just a false reputation. If there is better, it will not affect the overall situation."

Gao Chong waved his hand and signaled everyone to calm down. There were too many things to discuss in such a rare gathering. We must not waste it for such an irrelevant matter such as banning the account.

"Mr. Gu, the county, the county is advising and recruiting talents, how can we do the matter of recruiting talents?" Gao Chong turned his head and said to Gu Yong.

Gu Yong had a stern face and said in a deep voice: "The only talent issued by the Pamperor is to give the title of grace and the letter of the quotation has been distributed to all counties and counties. In the past ten days, although there have been many applicants, there are only few who are truly talented!"

Gu Yong's words surprised Gao Chong. After occupying Moling, Gao Chong made a list of talents according to the old rules in Yuzhang and appointed officials from various counties to select outstanding talents to enter the government. Unexpectedly, the result was not ideal.

Gu Yong said solemnly: "Jiangdong is located in a remote place. Most of the people with knowledge in the Central Plains are afraid of the long road. Among the lords in the hall, most of them are the Jiangbei gentry who have been exiled here. As for the recommendation and recruitment, the promoted people are close people. Those with low backgrounds have not received any chance."

The so-called "examination" refers to the regular inspection of county officials at all levels within their jurisdiction, selecting talents and recommending them to the court. These recommended people are granted different official positions after assessment. At the same time, officials can also recruit people with fame and talent to serve as officials. Those who are recruited as officials from the court are called "Zheng", and those who are recruited as officials by officials are called "Pi". "Filial" means people who are filial and brotherly, and "integrity" means selecting people who meet these two conditions and let them become officials.

This system of selecting talents has been continued since Qin Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, who was wise and wise, was even more powerful.

Pushing this system to its peak.

At that time, regardless of origin, as long as they were "extraordinary people" who "had extraordinary achievements", they were appointed as "general and prime minister". The poor Zhufu Yan and Zhu Maichen had shepherded sheep for others. Bu Shi, who was a Jia, was criticized for their success. Once they were investigated, they were all valued, thus forming a great situation where the Han Dynasty was successful and the people were prosperous.

However, as time goes by, the disadvantages of the system of filial piety and integrity emerged step by step as time goes by. By the time of Emperor Ling of Han, first the relatives of the foreigners were in power, and then the ten regular attendants controlled the government. In name, those who were recommended were high-ranking talents and famous, and were praised by the villagers. But in fact, many people appointed trustees and excluded the virtuous through bribery, requests, voluntary fraud and other means in order to gain high-ranking officials and generous salaries. These aristocratic families later became powerful aristocratic families, the most famous of which was the Yuan family of the four generations and three dukes.

Gu Yong was a disciple of the great scholar Cai Yong and a very appealing figure among the Wuzhong gentry. When he said this, everyone was upset.

"Why did Mr. Gu say this?" Zhang Wen looked puzzled.

Indeed, Gu Yong's words were like slapping himself in the mouth. Although he did not come from Jiangbei, he was closely related to the gentry who came from Jiangbei. Among them, Zhu and Zhang, one of the four surnames in Wuzhong, moved south from Huainan area.

"If it is for personal gain, Yong will not make such a dangerous statement, but if it is for public gain, then there must be any disadvantages!" Gu Yong said sternly.

"The population of Jiangdong is not as popular as that of the Central Plains. Although there are many exiled gentry, if you only choose the virtuous and capable from the gentry class, you can still maintain it within three generations, and talents will surely wither after three generations." Lu Su continued Gu Yong's words and advised him incisively.

Gu Yong and Lu Su's words made Gao Chong feel a little bit. Since occupying Yuzhang, Gao Chong has always emphasized the opening of the road of speech and recruiting talents. For this reason, he also specially established the Tianwei Military Academy to cultivate young talents. However, after all, Jiangdong has a weak foundation and relying solely on one school or limited children of exiled gentry, it will decline one day.

Gao Chong thought for a while and asked, "Does Zijing have real evidence?"

Lu Su is a valiant person and does not have a certainty, so he will never speak nonsense. Gao Chong believes in this.

Lu Su bowed and said, "Bu Zhi's name is Zishan, and he was from Huaiyin, Linhuai. He fled to Jiangdong because he avoided chaos. He was single and poor, so he planted melons and supported himself. He was very knowledgeable. He was diligent in the four bodies of the day and recited scriptures at night. However, he was a commoner and could not get the sect. If he didn't believe it, I would give in and come to see you."

Gao Chong's face darkened, his eyes were filled with anger, and he turned his eyes to Xu Jing, who was responsible for the investigation.

Xu Jing said in panic: "I don't know about this yet!"

Gao Chong was furious: "As the chief official, you don't even know that someone below cheated. Isn't that a joke?" Xu Jing was noble, but he was just a false reputation, and his specific ability to do things was really limited.

No one had ever seen Gao Chong get such a big fire, and he could calmly stand in the face of a critical battle situation, feeling the helplessness of a single force for the first time.

Seeing that everyone bowed their heads and said without saying a word, Gu Yong stepped forward and advised: "Don't be angry with the generals. This matter cannot be blamed on Wen Xiu alone. It is related to long-term plans. Yong thought that he should actively establish schools in various places, regardless of poverty or humble status, regardless of the gentry and common people, and recruit students to school uniformly. After these students graduate, Jiangdong will not worry about lack of talents."

Xu Shu also said: "Mr. Gu Gong's words are reasonable. Which talent is born from nature? We can slowly cultivate it. The coach set up Tianwei School in Yuzhang to recruit Yue, gentry and poor families to participate. It is already very effective and should be promoted by itself. As long as there is an Imperial College and a private school in every place, you will not have to worry about not having any talent in the future."

Gao Chong's expression slowed down, and Gu Yong and Xu Shu's words made some sense. He had originally imagined the promotion of schools in various counties and counties, but it was delayed because of the busy war. Now, this matter is urgent. However, setting up schools is just a way to cultivate talents, not a method of selection. In order to avoid and prevent fraud in the investigation process, one must also come up with a better way to replace the old system of inquiry and examination.
Chapter completed!